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Jan. 24, 1956 R. D. HILLIS 3 ,10

CARBONATED BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM Original Filed June 26, 1950 4Sheets-Shet 2 INVENTOR Pnuoown D. Huus 0 u BY /;4/QZ%Z ATTORNEYS Jan.24, 1956 R. D. HlLLlS CARBONATED BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed June 26, 1950 l INVENTOR a BQNMPHD. HuusNew ATR )RNFYS United States Patent GARBONATED' BEVERAGE DISPENSINGSYSTEM 9 Claims. (Cl; ZZZ-386.5)

This application relateswtoa. carbonated beverage dispen'sing; systemand is adiv-isionrof my copending' application S. N. 170,39=5, filed-June 26,- 1950.

Thisinventionhas particular reference to. the provision of a systemwhereby carbonated beverages can=be sold in such places as factoriesinapaper cups, thereby eliminating the-breaking. of glass bottles whichare. usually sold in such places. Theproblem of broken glass is a-veryseri ousione in many factories. Factory workerspurchasing softdrinksfrom. carts or. wagonspassingthrough the factories are extremelycareless in the handling of the glass bottles. In many instances, aworker, after: consuming a bottled. beverage, will simply throw thebottle aside, breaking it on the floor,.with the result that workershavebeen. injured by broken glass and glass particles have found theirwayinto products made in thefactories;

It. is recognized: that 'itwould be highly advantageous if factoryworkers could be supplied withbeverages dispensed in paper cups, thuscompletely eliminating the dangers and disadvantages occurring, throughthe breakingtof soft drinkbottles. However, thisprese'nts seriousproblems from a number of different standpoints. In the first place,itis extremely difiicult to pre mixa beverage syrup and carbonated waterin large containers suitable for the dispensing of the'beverages, due tothe fact that the-carbonated water tends very rapidly to go off'in foam.In the second place, the procedure involved in a workable system isextremely slow, and the time required for filling the large containersrenders-it impracticable to use them for the purpose stated, Inthe thirdplace, it is difficult to. provide a-suitablelarge containen ill=WhlCilthe beverage can bepre-mixed andfrorn which. it can be readilydispensed, when desired.

- An. important object of the invention is toprovide a novel-apparatus.for the directdispensingrof carbonated beverages, from relatively largecontainers in paper cups or. theliken:

- A further object issto provide a novel'valve mechanism V connectibletothe tank after-it is filled-to provide for the dispensing ofv thepremixed beverage.

A further object is toprovide a tank for the purpose stated incombination with a novel. type of. valve, one connectible to a source ofpressure and the other connectible to a dispensing hose leading: toasuitable faucet; a pressure'source serving to maintainrthemixed-beverage under pressure tomaintain a-pressurehead for dispensingthe beverage. andtto prevent the foaming of the beverage so thatsa.uniform beverage. will be dispensed. to customers until the-tank iscompletely empty;

A further objectis to provide a novel valve mechanism of the characterreferred. to which. is insertable into a fitting carried by the beveragetank. and which is adapted to be turned tolock. the valve to the: tank,the turning I movement of thevalve: lQ-lOCklLln-POSlllOl'l: on the tankserving automatically to. openthe. tankto. communication with thedispensing pipe line or conduit;

Other objects andtadvantages of the present invention 2,732,105 PatentedJan. 24, 1956 will become apparent during the course of the followingdescription.

In the drawings, I haveshown several embodiments of the invention. Inthis showing,

Figure l is a face view of a control box showing the cover removed,

Figure 2 is-an enlarged view showing the lower part of the control box,parts being shown in section,

Figure 3 is an enlarged central vertical fragmentary sectional viewthrough the upper portion of a beverage container showing the fillinghead inposition thereon,

Figure 4 is a side elevation of a beverage container ready for thedispensing operation, a portion of the container being broken away,

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken verticallythrough one of the keyed valvesused in conjunction with. the dispensingoperation, the' section being taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figure4,.

Figure 6-is an underside perspective view of theupper portion of suchvalve device,

Figure 7 is a detailed sectional view on line 77 of Figure 5,

Figure 8- is a side elevation of a dispensing container showing. amodified form of means for maintaining a beverage-in'thecontainer underpressurefor the dispens ing operation, and

Figure 9 isa diagrammatic view' of the wiring: system for the apparatus,parts of the latter being diagrammatia cally represented in associationwith the electrical control elements therefor.

Referringito Figure 3, the numeral 10 designates ap'or tionof a beveragecontainer or tank used in conjunction with the presentinvention, thesetanks being of suitable capacity, preferably five gallons. Each tank isprovided with a head portion 11* having an upwardly extendingcylindrical neck 12 which is closed either by a filler cap 13 as inFigureS-or by any suitable type of plain cap 14 asinFigure 4 when thebeverage is to be dispensed.

The filler cap 13 is shownas having an inner cap portion-16'sealed withrespect tov the-neck 1'2' as"at 17. Any suitable means. may be employedfor locking the'cap in position, and in the present instance, the neck12 is shown as being provided with lugs 18'engageab1e by struck in lips1-9 formed on thedepending flange 20 of the cap 13. The particularstructure of the cap and the means for securingitin position form-persome part of the-present invention.

A filler tube 25 extends through the inner cap 16preferably axially ofthe tank for the charging of the tank initially withgas and then withcarbonated water in the manner described below. The tube 25 is closed atits lower endasat" 26 and is provided just" above its" lower end with.escape ports 27 for the radially outward flow particularly-of thecarbonated water introduced into the tank. The tank- 10, the parts ofthe cap 13 other than the: seal 17', and the tube 251111 are formed ofno'n-c'orrosive material and preferably stainless steel.

Inv the art of packaging carbonatedbeverages; the operation ofreleasing, pressures from the container'as the filling operationprogresses is-known as: snifting. Thepresent apparatus employs suchsnifting means; Referring-to Figure-3, the cap element 16 hasprojectingthero through and welded thereto a snifting tube 30. This tube,. throughsuitable fittings such as an elbow 31 and union 32 is connected to aflexible hose 33-Ieading to the control box referred to below. The tube25 is connected by an elbow 35 to a pipe section 36, the end of which isconnected to one end of a flexible hose 37 also leading to the control.-box,

- A liquid operated switch is associated with the cap 13 for the purposeof automatically cutting. off the ad mission of carbonated water whenthe tank is full. This switch is shown in the present instancesubstantially in the nature of a conventional spark plug having a metalshell 40 and an insulating body 41, the latter of which is connected toa depending electrode 42. The electrode 42 is in the form of aninternally threaded sleeve receiving the threaded upper end of theelectrode proper 43 having a head 44 at its lower end, preferablypolygonal, to facilitate the turning of the electrode 43 to adjust itlongitudinally of the sleeve 42 and thus adjust the height of the head44. A jam nut 45 is threaded on the electrode 43 to fix the latter inadjusted positions.

For the purpose of protecting the electrode 43 and associated elementsfrom contact with any splashing liquid in the tank 10, a plastic orsimilar sleeve 46 surrounds all portions of the electrode as shown inFigure 3, being frictionally held in position by the head 44 and nut 45.A cable 48 leads to the plug 41 and is electrically connected throughthe binding post 49 at the upper end of the plug to the electrodeelements in the same manner as in a spark plug. A second wire in thecable 48, as indicated by the numeral 50, is grounded on some portion ofthe tank or some metallic connection thereto, such as the elbow 35 asshown in Figure 3.

As further described in detail below, the tank is initiallycounter-pressured by carbon dioxide gas flowing downwardly through tube25, and the snifter tube communicates with a control mechanism fordisconnecting the source of gas pressure when a given pressure isreached in the tank 10. At such time, the tube 25 is connected to asource of carbonated water for the filling of the tank 10 in which ameasured quantity of syrup previously has been placed. When the level ofthe liquid reaches a predetermined height, the liquid will ground thetank on the electrode head 44, thus completing a circuit to be describedto cut olf the admission of carbonated water to the tank. Thereupon, theshifting operation becomes a purging operation to reduce pressure in thetank 10 to that of the atmosphere. Thereafter, the cap 13 can be removedand replaced with one of the caps 14 as in Figure 4, whereupon the tankis ready to be transported to the location of the dispensing operationand prepared for such operation.

For use in suitably connecting the tank to the necesi sary elements forthe dispensing operation, the head portion 11 of each tank is providedwith a pair of spaced sleeves and 61. These sleeves are set verticallythrough the head 11 and are welded in position as shown. One sleeve isassociated with the means for introducing gas pressure for maintaining adispensing pressure in the tank and the other sleeve is associated withthe means for dispensing the beverage through a suitable faucet (notshown). In Figures 3 and 5, the sleeve 60 is shown and is associatedwith the beverage dispensing means, the sleeve 61 in Figure 4 beingassociated with the gas introducing means. Except as noted below, themeans associated with the two sleeves 60 and 61 are identical and theparts which are common to the two need not both be illustrated anddescribed. One of the valve mechanisms associated with the sleeves 60and 61 is shown in detail in Figures 5, 6 and 7.

Referring to Figure 5, the numeral 64 designates a fitting threaded atits lower end in the upper end of the sleeve 60 and seating upon asealing washer 65. The upper end of the fitting 64 is externallythreaded for recep' tion in a cap 65 having a reduced externallythreaded upper end 66 for a purpose to be described. Between thehorizontal portion 67 of the cap 65 and the upper end of the fitting 64is a plastic washer 68 which provides a sealing connection between thefitting 64 and cap 65 and which serves also as a valve seat. A valve 69is arranged in the upper end of the fitting 64 and is of such polygonalform as to fit loosely in position to be relatively accurately guided invertical movement while providing spaces for the flow of fluidtherepast. The top of the valve is provided with an upstanding annularintegral rib engageable against the plastic sealing member 68 to closecommunication therethrough. A convolute spring 71 urges the valve 69toward closed position.

The valve device in Figure 5 is employed for the dispensing of thebeverage, and to this end, it is provided with a dip tube 75 whichextends substantially to the bottom of the tank 10 as shown in Figure 4.The dip tube extends through aligned bores 76 and 77 formed in thesleeve 61 and at the lower end of the fitting 64, and an 0 ring 78snugly engages the dip tube 75 to prevent leakage upwardly around thistube. The elements associated with the sleeve 61 are identical with theelements shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7 except that the dip tube 75 and Oring 78 are omitted.

The upper end 66 of the cap 67 is internally threaded in an upperlocking cap 80, and this cap retains in position an O ring 81 recessedinto the upper end of the member 66 for a purpose to be described. Themember 66 and cap are provided with aligned bores 82 and 83 respectivelyfor a purpose to be described.

The cap 80 is provided with a reduced neck 85 above which is formed anoutstanding flange 86 which is circular except that it is flattened atone side as at 87 as shown in Figure 7. The groove or neck 85 inconjunction with the flange 86 and its flattened side 87 provide meansfor locking to the mechanism just described a valve device whichprovides for the outward flow of beverage or the inward flow of gas formaintaining a pressure head in the tank.

The valve device referred to comprises a generally cylindrical body 90in which is arranged a plug valve 91 preferably provided with a sealingsleeve 92 of flexible plastic or any other similar suitable material.The valve 91 is provided with an axial passage 93 which extendsdownwardly through a key tube 94 the lower end of which is slightlytapered to decrease in diameter to facilitate its insertion in position,and the lower extremity of the key tube is transversely slotted as at 95to form fluid passages.

The upper end of the valve 91 engages a resilient washer 98, and theupper extremity of the sleeve 90 is provided with an external bead 99similar to the formation of the head at the upper end of a conventionalbeverage bottle and preferably of the same size. This bead is adaptedfor connection with a crown cap 100, and the head 99 is preferably thesame size as the head of an ordinary beverage bottle in order that astandard crown 100 may be employed. The cap 100, being preferablyconventional, has a cork liner which engages the resilient washer 98,thus resiliently holding the valve 91 in posi' tion without binding thelatter against turning movement.

The valve 91 is provided with a transverse passage 101 communicatingwith the upper end of the passage'93. A hose connecting nipple 102 iscarried by the sleeve 90 and communicates with the passage 101. Thenipple 102 is adapted for connection with a suitable hose 103 (Figure 4)leading to the beverage dispensing faucet.

At one side thereof, the sleeve 90 s provded wth a dependng porton 105undercut as at 106 to receve the flange 86. The depending portion 105(Figures 6 and 7) has a flat face 107 spaced from the axis of the tube94 a distance equal to the similar spacing of the flat face 87 of the,fiange 86. The valve 91 (Figures 6 and 7) is similarly provided with adepending portion 108 which, in the normal position of the parts asshown in Figure 7, has a flat face 109 aligning with the flat face 107,and these faces .under such conditions will lie in a common plane withthe face 87 of the flange 86. The bore of the sleeve 90 in which thevalve 91 is arranged extends downwardly past the projection or lip 108,whereupon the sleeve 90 extends under such projection or lip as at 110(Figure 6) thereby forming the recess 106 as an arcuate groove (Figure7) within the projection 105 for receiving the circular portion of theflange 86 when the sleeve grantee 90 is turned to lock the partstogether as shown in Figure 5.

As previously stated, the elements associated with the two sleeves and61 will be identicalexcept' that in connection with the sleeve 60, thedip tube and: O ring 78 are omitted. The same locking arrangement of theparts is provided, and the key sleeve 94 ineach case will unseat thevalve 69 to afford communication between the interior of the tank 10-and the hose 103 associated with the nipple 102; A similar hose 112 isconnected to the valve mechanism of the sleeve 60'for the introductionof an inert gas into the tank to provide the necessary dispensingpressure head. I

In Figure 8 of the drawings, there is shown a modified type of means forsubjecting beverage in the container to a dispensing pressure. Theapparatus previously described is employed in those localities where aninert gas ofa pure nature is. accessible at relatively low cost. Itordinarily is not desired to use air for the necessary pressure infactories, since such air frequently is contaminated. If it is desiredto use air, the device shown in Figure 8 may be employed. In this case,the sleeve 61 associated with the gas inlet is provided with a shortnipple 115 (Figure 8) and a thin highly elastic bladder 116- isconnected to this nipple and normally is of the shape shown in solidlines in Figure 8. The bladder 116 may be subjected to air pressure toexpand it to displace beverage from the tank for the dispensingoperation It has been found that a bladder formed of the proper material, such as some of the readily available. highly elastic 1plastics, will expand to fill the tank substantially completely so as toprovide for the substantially complete evacuation of the beverage fromthe tank 10'.

The control mechanism for the tank. filling operations. is shown inFigures 1 and 2. Such mechanismishoused within a suitable box 120mounted against a. wall and normally provided with a cover (not shown)closing the face of'the box. A pipe 121 leads to a suitable source ofcarbonated water, such pipe extendingthrough the side of the box asshown in Figure 1 and thence-downwardly through the. box to an outletnipple 122 connected to the hose 37 (see Figure 3). In the pipe 121 isarranged a valve housing 123 in which is arranged a poppet valve 124,this valve being normally biased to closed.

position and adapted to be opened upon energization. of a solenoid 125,the control means for which will be: described later.

Within the box 120 and preferably adjacent the: pipe 121 is arranged asmaller pipe 128 leading through a side wall of the box to a fitting 129to which is connected a suitable pipe (not shown) leading to a source ofcarbon dioxide gas. The lower end of the pipe 128 is tapped. into thepipe 121 as at 130. Above the point 130 is arranged a valve housing 131having a poppet valve. 132. therein normally biased to closed positionand adapted to be opened upon energizationof a-solenoid 133, the circuitfor which. will be describedlater. It will be apparent that when thevalve. 132 isv opened and the valve 124,v is closed, carbon dioxide. gaswill be supplied to the hose 37 and thence to the tank. 10. This gas issupplied in a manner fully described below to charge the tank 10 with aninitial pressure to preventthe foaming of the carbonated water when the:latter is admitted. Whenthe proper pressure is reached in the tank, thevalve 132 is closed andthe valve 124 is opened to fill the tank 10 withcarbonated water, and these operations are all fully described below.

The snifter hose 33 (Figure 3) is. connected by a suitable fitting 135to a pipe 136 within the box 120. This. pipe is provided. with a T 137,the branch 138 015 which is connected to a valve housing 139 by a.lateral.

extension 140 thereon having a passage 14].- theretlirbughtFigure 2).The passage 141 leads to-theinterior. of the. valve-housing 139 forcommunication-with; an annular passage 142 formed around a plug 143i The6 plug 143 has a passage 1-44*ther e'through communicating with a-lowerpassage 145 in the valve body 1 39, the purpose 'of 'this' passagebeingdescribed" below.

At the'upper end of 'thepassage 144,v there is formed a valve seat 146engageable by a valve 147, and when this valve is opened in a' manner tobe described, the passage 144 communicates with the annular space 142through radial ports 148. l

The plug 143 extends upwardly above the valve" 147 for reception withinan upper housing 150; the housings 139 and 150- being' clamped togetherrelative to each other as at 151 (Figure 1). The housing 150 is providedwith an axial bore 154 in which the upper end of the plug 143 extends,and within'this bore is arranged a compression spring 155 having anupper spriiig seat '156- carried by the stem 157 of the valve 147. 'I

The upper end of the valvestem 157 engages against a preferably metallicdiaphragm 160 arranged and clamped between casing members 161 and 162',the low er casing member 161 being carried by the upper end of thehousing 150'.- The upper casing section 162 is provided with an upperaxial tubular extension 163 in which arearranged concentric compressionsprings 164 and 165', the two upper springs being employed for thepurpose of lending stability to the operation of the diaphragm 160'under the variable pressures to which the diaphragm is subjected. Theupper ends of the springs 164'and'165 seat against an adjusting'screw166 threaded in the upper end of the tube 163. This screw is adjustableto predetermine the diiferential pressure conditions on opposite sidesof the diaphragm 160' to determine the pressure beneath the diaphragm atwhich the valve 147 will open. A cap not 167 is threaded on the upperend of the tube 163.

The cap nut 167 and adjusting screw 166 are apentured for the passagetherethrough of an axial stem 170 the lower end of which is fixed to thediaphragm 160'.- A cap 171- is threaded on the larger cap 167 and an 0ring 172 is arranged therewithin to prevent leakage pastthe stern 170':The stem 170 operates a normally closed micro-switch 173 for a purposeto be described.

The underside'of' thediaphragm 160' is subject to pressures in thetank10 through pipe 136 and passage 14 1, and through a bleed-port 175drilled through the plug 143 to communicate between the annular passage142 and the bore 154. The top of the diaphragm 160 is subject topressure in the source of carbon dioxide gas, and: for this purpose,theinterior of the tube 163 is connected to the gas pipe 128 by a pipe176.

The housing 150 is provided with a lateral extension 177 havinga'passa'ge-178 communicating with the bore 154 and with an angularpassage 178' having an en? larged threaded outer end' 179. A needlevalve carried. by. a nut 18-1 is adapted -to' close the passage 1'78; Apressure" gauge may be threaded in the openingz179 and the needle valve180 opened to determine the pressure to which the bottom face of thediaphragm is subjected.

The passage 145' of the valve housing 139 is connected by, asuitablefitting to a valve housing 186 having therein a poppet valve 187,normally closed, and adapted tobe: opened upon energiiation-of asolenoid 183 in a manner to be described. The other side of the: valvehousing 18'6'is connected to one end of a pipe leading to a fitting 191leading through the bottom of the-box 120 and preferably directly opento the atmosphere;

The valves 147 and 187 control the pressure in the tank 10- during thefilling operation, and" excess pressure is shifted off through-the pipe190' as further described in detail below. The'appara tus'is providedwith means operative atter the tank 10 has been filled for purging offthe: pressure in the tank 10 so that upon reductionof such pressure tothat of the atmosphere, the cap 13 (Figure 3) can be safely removed andreplaced by the cap 14 ready for the dispensing operation. The means forpurging the tank 10 is shown in Figures 1 and 2.

As indicated above, one end of the run of the T 137 is connected to thepipe 136. The other end of the run of the T is connected by a pipe 195to a valve housing 196. This housing has therein a poppet valve 197normally closed and adapted to be opened upon energization of a solenoid198. The other end of the valve housing 196 is connected by a suitablefitting 199 to one end of a pipe 200 tapped into the pipe 190 which, asstated above, is open at its lower end to the atmosphere. I

The electrical control system for the apparatus is shown in Figure 9.Two main wires 204 and 205 are connected across a source of current, thewire 205 being shown as being grounded at 206 and the wire 204 beingprovided with a main control switch 207. circuit, and for example in thewire 205, is arranged a signal light 208 to give a visible indictionthat the switch 207 is closed and the system as a whole operative. Thewire 204 is connected to a wire 209 which leads to one terminal of amagnet 210. The other terminal of this magnet is connected to a wire 211which is grounded as at 212 with a push button 213 interposed in thewire 211. Momentarily depressing the push button 213 obviously energizesthe magnet 210 to attract the armature 214 to swing it in a clockwisedirection from the inoperative position shown in Figure 9.

The armature 214 acts as a latch for an armature 216 of a magnet 217.When the magnet 217 is energized with the magnet 210 deenergized, thearmature 216 will swing to the operative position shown and will remainin such position until the magnet 210 is again energized. The armature216 is connected to the wire 204 as shown, and when the armature 216 isin the operative position shown, it engages a stationary contact 218connected to one end of a wire 219 leading to one terminal of thesolenoid 198 associated with the purge valve 196. The other terminal ofthe magnet 198 is grounded as at 220.

One terminal of the magnet 217 is connected by a wire 222 to a switchindicated by the numeral 223, this switch being constituted by theelectrode head 44 (Figure 3) and the body of the liquid in the tank 10when the latter rises to the level of the electrode head. This switch isgrounded as at 224. this being the ground to which the wire 50 leads asin Figure 3.

The other terminal of the magnet 217 is connected to a wire 226 fromwhich a branch wire 227 leads to a sta- I tionary contact 228 engageableby the armature 216 when the latter is released by the latching armature214., The wire 226 has a branch 230 leading to a magnet armature 231further referred to below. For the purpose of illustration in thediagrammatic showing in Figure 9, the wire 226 is shown as beingconnected to a switch arm 232 normally engaging a stationary contact 233r The switch arm 232 is shown as being connected to and insulated fromthe stem of the valve 147 as at 234. Actually, from a structuralstandpoint, the stem carrying the switch arm 232 in Figure 9 will be thevertically slidable pin 170 as shown in Figure..?., and the switchelements constituted by the am 232 and contact 233 will be themicro-switch 173.

1 The contact 233 is connected by a Wire 236 to one terminal of a magnet237, the other terminal of which is connected by a wire 238 to a ground239. The gas valve operating solenoid 133 is connected in parallelacross the wires 236 and 238 by wires 242 and 243 respectively. Alsoconnected in parallel with the wires 236 and 243 is a signal light 244which obviously will be illuminated whenever the circuit is closed bythe micro-switch. Referring for the moment to Figure 1, it will be notedthat the two signal lights 208 and 244 are carried by and project fromone side of the box 120. The push button 213 In the main is convenientlyarranged adjacent the signal lights and the mechanism for the pushbutton switch and the wires for the signallights are housed within asmall box 245 within the box 120. The several magnets 210, 217 and 237and their associated armatures may be housed within a relay box 246within the box 120.

The armature 231 is associated with the magnet 237 and normally engagesa stationary contact 250 connected to one end of a wire 251. This wireis connected by branches 252 and 253 respectively to one terminal ofeach of the solenoids 125 and 188. The second terminal of the solenoid125 is connected by a wire 254 to a ground 255, and the second terminalof the solenoid 183 is connected by a wire 256 to the grounded wire 254.

Operation When a tank 10 is to be filled, a measured amount of syrup isplaced in the tank, whereupon the tank is ready to be filled with thedesired quantity of carbonated water to form the finished pre-mixedbeverage. The cap 13 is secured in position on the top of the tank, andall of the electrical parts of the system will be in the conditionsindicated in Figure 9. It will be understood that the keyed valves usedin dispensing, one of which is shown in Figure 6, will be disconnectedfrom the apparatus and the two valves 69, one of which is shown inFigure 5, will be in the upper positions seated against the washers 68,thus sealing the tank from the atmosphere.

The tank charging operation is now ready to be initiated. Assuming thatthe main control switch 207 (Figure 9) is closed. the operator willmomentarily press the button 213, thus energizing the magnet 210,current flowing through wires 204 and 209, through magnet 210 and to"ground through wire 211 and push button 213. The armature 214 will beattracted, thus releasing the armature 216 for movement out ofengagement with the contact 218 into engagement with contact 228. Inthis connection, it will be noted that the water level switch will beopen since there is no liquid in the tank 1.0 to ground the wire 222. italso will be noted that the closing of the switch 207 will have closed acircuit through wire 204, armature 216 and wire 219 through solenoid 198to ground 220 to open the purge valve 197. Inasmuch as atmosphericpressure will have been present in the tank 10, the opening of the purgevalve does not affect the operation and the circuit through the solenoid198 will have been broken upon operation of the push button 213, thearmature 216 moving away from the contact 218.

The engagement of armature 216 with contact 228 prepares the electricalcontrol system to perform its intended functions. The current will howto armature 216 in the manner described, thence through contact 228,wires 227 and 226 to the micro-switch represented by elements 232 and233, and the circuit at this point will be closed by virtue of the factthat the upper diaphragm chamber will be connected to the source ofcarbon dioxide under substantial pressure, for example from twenty-fiveto one hundred pounds per square inch, through pipes 176 and 128. Fromthe micro-switch, the solenoid 133, magnet 237 and signal light 234will. be energized through the various wires 236, 242, 243 and 238, thecircuit for these elements being grounded as at 239. The energizing ofthe solenoid 133 opens the gas inlet valve 132 (see Figure 2) andaccordingly, carbon dioxide gas from the source will flow through pipe128 into pipe 12! below the closed water valve 124, and thence throughhose 37 into the tank 10 in which it is discharged laterally throughports 27 (Figure 3). It may be noted at this point that upon the initialengaging of the armature 216 with the contact 228. the solenoids 125 and188 will be energized, but this is only a momentary energization sincethe closing of the circuit through magnet 237 will move the armature 231to disengage it from the contact 250. The circuit through solenoids 125and 188 will be broken at the contact 250 so long as the solenoid 237remains energized, as described below.'

The gas fiowing into the tank will charge the tank to a predeterminedpressure less than that of the source of the carbon dioxide gas, thepressure differential being determined by the functioningof'thediaphragm-operated valve 147 (Figure 2).

The pressure in the source, communicated to the top of the diaphragm166, will hold this diaphragm in its lower position with the valve 147closed until the pressure in the tank 10 reaches the desired point. Theunderside of the diaphragm 16% will be subject to pressure in the tank16 through bore 154-, port 175, annular space 142, port 141, pipe'1'3'6and hose 33. The adjusting screw 166 is turned downwardly to tension thesprings 164 and 165 to determine what pressure beneath the diaphragm 160will be required to open the valve 147. This pressure maybe adj'ustedforby connecting a pressure gauge to the opening 179- (Figure 2), openingthe needle valve 180 and adjusting the screw 166 so that the shiftingoperation will occur at the desired'pressurewithin the tank 10.

As pressure is built up within the tank 10, the underside of thediaphragm 160' will be subject to progressively increasing pressures,and when the pressure beneath the diaphragm 160 reaches the point wherethe gas pressure and the tension of the spring 155 slightly overbalancesthe gas pressure above the diaphragm 160 and the tension of the springs164 and 165, the diaphragm 160 will be moved upwardly to crack the valve147 and to open the micro-switch and thus break the circuit at thecontact 233 (Figure 9) and deenergize the solenoid 133, magnet 237 andsignallight 244.

The deenergizing' of the magnet 237 releases its armature 231 formovement into engagement with the contact 250 to energize the solenoid125 associated with the water inlet valve 124; and to energize thesolenoid 188 associated with the gas outlet valve 187. The lattervalveis in series with the diaphragm-operated" valve 147. When the valve 147is cracked and the valve 187 opened in the manner stated, gas from thetop of'the tank 10 will flow from tube- 30 through hose 33 (Figure 3)and thence through pipe 136 into passage 141 from which it flows intotheannular passage 142 and thence through ports 148; past valve 147,through passage 145 and through the valve housing 186 to be dischargedto the atmosphere through pipe 196. The valve 147 will be cracked onlyto the extent necessary to prevent the accumulation of gas pressure inthe tank 10 above the predetermined pressure for which the diaphragm 160has been adjusted.

The gas is thus permitted to escape under control as carbonated waterflows into the tank 10. It will be apparent from the foregoingdescription that when the'prescure accumulatesin the tank 10 to thedesired point, the solenoid 133 will be deenergized to close the gasinlet valve 132. The admission of gasinto the tank is cut off at thevalve 132; Simultaneously, the magnet 237 will be d'eenergized and thearmature 231 not only closes the circuit through solenoid 18'8 topermitthe snifting'off of pressure past valve 187, but will also energizesolenoid 125 to open the water valve 124 (see Figure 2). Accordingly,carbonated water from the source will now how through pipe 121, hose 37andtube 25 to fill the tank with carbonated water. This water flowslaterally from the tube 25- through ports 27 and' will be dischargedlaterally under pressure against the sides of the tank 10 to flowdownwardly therealong. The arrangement of the tube 25' and ports 27 ispreferred since it permits a relatively free rapid flow of Water to fillthe tank 10 in a minimum length of time without substantial foaming ofthe water. In this connection, it may be pointed out that particularlyin the mixing of carbonated water with syrups containing caramel, anyappreciable agitation ofthe-syrup while the carbonated water is beingbrought into contact therewith will result in substantial foaming. Withthe filling: device referred to, the carbonated water flows downwardlyalong-the sides of the tank and floats ontop of thesyrupwithout'substantially agitating it.

As the water flows into the tank 10, it obviously displaces gas' fromthe tank, and this gascontinues to snift off-past valves 147 and 187 themanner previously described, and-the diaphragm mechanism functions tomaintain the same pressure head in the tank 10 as the incoming waterdisplaces the gas. The maintenance of this pressure head prevents anyappreciable foaming of the carbonated water, as is necessary in anapparatus of this character. The proper pressure diiferential betweenthe source of carbonated water and the gas in the tank 10 is maintainedat the proper point to permit free ingress of water while at the same.time preventing the foaming of the carbonated water. This pressuredifferential is preferably from ten to twenty pounds. It may be pointedout that with apressure differential of approximately twenty pounds, atank 10 of ten gallons capacity can be filled in approximatelytwenty-eight seconds. This is. desirable where a large number of tanksare to be filled in. order that time may be saved. If time is not soessential, a pressure differential often pounds'can be maintained,inwhichcase it requires approximately one minute to fill the tank.

The flowing of the carbonated water into the tank will continue as willthe shifting operation until the tank is filled to the point where thecarbonated water contacts the electrode head 44 (Figure 3). The head 44is preferably spaced from the top of the tank and is lower than thelower end of the tube 30 for a purpose to be described; The insulatingplastic sleeve 46 preferably surrounds theelectrode 43 and head 44 toprevent the splash ing" of liquid against the electrode beforethe levelof the liquid reachesthe desired point. When such point is reached; theelectrode head 44 will be grounded through the carbonated water to thetank 10, the water actingas the switch. 223 (Figure 9) to close acircuitthrough wire 204,. armature 216', contact 228, wires 227 and 226and thence: through magnet. 217 and on to ground 224. The armamre. 216will then be attracted toward the magnet 217 and will be. engaged bythelatching armature 214 to latch the armature 216 in the position shownin Figure 9. Thecircuit' for all of the main control elements, that is,all of the elements supplied with current through wire 226, except. themagnet 216, will be broken at the contact 228. The gas outlet valve 187and water valve 124, previously opened by their solenoids, will nowclose, and the tank 10* will be closed completely to the atmosphereexcept through the purge valve described below.

The. closing of the. circuit by the water level switch through magnet217 will close a circuit through contact 218', wire 219, purge valvesolenoid 198 and ground 220. The purge valve'197 (see. Figure 2) willnow open, and the pipe 136 leading from the tank 10 will now communicatewith" the atmosphere through pipe 195, through valve casing 196 andpipes 200 and 190. Pressure thus will be released from the tank: 10 tothat of the atmosphere.

At. the time the water valve 124 is closed, there will be a; quantity ofcarbonated water trapped between this valveand the tank 10. Upon theopening of the purge valve 197, this. water will flow into the tank bygravity, thus raising the water level above the electrode head 44, thewater level finally reaching a point slightly above the lower. end ofthe-tube. 30. During the initial purging operation, only gas will flowfrom the pipe 190 and its discharge nipple 191. The water level in thetank 10 will continue to. rise as stated until finally a little of theliquid will be purged from the system through the purge line. Thisliquid may be caught and disposed of in any manner and as soon. as thispurging stops, the filled tank is ready to-beprepared for dispensing thebeverage.

The pressure in the tank 10 having been reduced to that of theatmosphere by the purging operation, the operator will remove thefillingcap 13 and replace it with the cap- 14. Both valves 69 (Figure 5)being closed and the tank being sealed by the cap 14, the tank 10 may beinverted several times to mix the syrup and carbonated water. The tankis then ready for the dispensing of the beverage, it being understoodthat the tank will be maintained with the contents chilled at a properdispensing temperature before the beverage is dispensed.

Suitable vehicles will be provided for carrying one or more of the tanksaround a factory floor for the vending of paper cups filled with thepre-mixed beverage. Two of the fittings shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7 areemployed with each tank, one for dispensing the beverage and the otherfor introducing into the tank the desirable gas under pressure tomaintain a dispensing pressure head. In this connection, it is pointedout that without the introduction of pressure gas, the gas escaping fromthe beverage in the tank will maintain sufiicient pressure to dispensethe beverage. However, the gas content of the beverage willprogressively decrease and the beverage will become progressivelyflatter and less palatable to the consumer. It is thus desired to supplya gas to the tank to maintain a dispensing pressure without loss of gasfrom the beverage. To this end, a tank of inert gas may be carried onthe vehicle and the gas will be supplied to the tank 10 through anysuitable conventional pressure control valve.

As indicated, when desired, inert gas may be employed, for example,nitrogen, carbon dioxide gas and even air, if pure and uncontaminated.The use of air, however, is not particularly recommended, since it isdifficult to secure air of sufficient purity for the purpose. The sourceof gas pressure may be a tank, as stated, or the gas may be supplied tothe tank through a suitable compressor.

Assuming that a suitable source of gas pressure is available, toegtherwith a suitable dispensing faucet and hose, the valve devices shown inthe upper portion of Figure are connected in position on the caps 80 andlocked relative to the flanges 86. The operation for each valve deviceis the same and only one need be referred to in detail. In the normalposition of the parts as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the lateral passage101 is turned ninety degrees from the outlet spout 102 and the flatfaces 107 and 109 lie in a common plane. Each valve body 90 is arrangedin position over its associated cap 80 with the tube 94 aligned with thebore 83, and with the flat face 87 of the flange 86 lying in the planeof the flat faces 107 and 109. The valve body 90 is then pusheddownwardly to insert the tube 94 to the vertical limits shown in Figure5. The tapering of the lower end of the tube 94 facilitates itsinsertion, particularly through the O ring 81, and as the tube 94approaches its lower position, it will unseat the valve 69 as shown inFigure 5.

It will be assumed that suitable hoses are connected to the tube nipples102, one hose leading to the source of gas pressure and the other to adispensing faucet which will be closed. Obviously, the hose of thedispensing faucet will be connected with respect to the sleeve 60 whichcarries the dip tube 75, this tube being omitted from the sleeve 61through which gas is introduced.

Having inserted the tube 94 to its lower limit of movement, the valvecasing 90 will now be turned ninety degrees to bring the passage 101 ofeach valve 91 into alignment with its associated hose nipple 102. Whenthis turning operation is performed, the flat face 87, engaging the flatface 109 of the projection 108, will hold the valve 90 stationary whilethe valve casing 90 is rotated. A circular portion of the flange 86 willthen move into the recess 106, thus locking the valve casing 90 to thecap 80. When both valve devices have been inserted, the interior of thetank will be connected to the source of gas for maintaining a pressurehead in the tank, and the dip tube 75 will be in communication with thehose leading to the dispensing faucet. The operator, as will beapparent, can then open the dispensing faucet to fill paper cups forcustomers.

The form of the invention shown in Figure 8 is particularly adapted foruse where it is desired to employ air under pressure for effectingdisplacement of the beverage from the tank 10. The bladder 116 will bemade of a thin highly elastic material, of which there are severalavailable in the field of plastics. The introduction of air into thebladder 116 will expand it progressively as the beverage is dispensed,and if a suitable material is used, this bladder, when inflated to itslimit, will substantially completely fill every portion of the tank 10thus permitting a complete emptying of the tank 10 through thedispensing of the beverage. By the use of the bladder 116, air may beemployed for displacing the beverage, even if the air is contaminated,since the air is kept out of contact with the beverage. Only the outsideof the bladder 116 need be sterile and the outer surface of the bladdercan be readily washed and sterilized.

It will be apparent that more than one tank of premixed beverage can becarried on the vehicle where demands for the beverage are relativelyheavy. As soon as the tank is emptied, the operator can cut off thesupply of pressure gas to the tank, remove the two valve devices byturning each valve body through an arc of ninety degrees and thenlifting it, whereupon the valve devices can be connected in the mannerpreviously described to another beverage tank.

The present apparatus is highly practicable in operation for the fullyautomatic filling, if desired, of large beverage containers fordispensing pre-mixed beverages, particularly, but not necessarily, infactories. In large factories, there is a substantial volume demand forcarbonated beverages during working hours, and in a practicable systemof this character, it is necessary that the tanks be rapidly filled inorder to keep pace with the demand for beverages. The present system isvery rapid in operation and large volumes of pre-mixed beverages may bemade without foaming, and under complete control during all stages offilling the containers and dispensing the beverages therefrom.

The present system makes it highly practicable to satisfy the demandsfor carbonated beverages in factories through the sale of the beveragesin paper cups. As previously stated, much trouble has been encounteredin the sale of bottled beverages because of the breakage of bottles,which cannot be prevented because of accidents, carelessness of workers,etc. The breakage of bottles in factories has resulted in seriousinjuries to workers and even in the imbedding of glass particles infinished manufactured products, particularly in the rubber industry.This results in the shipping out of defective products, some of whichcause injuries to consumers.

The apparatus is comparatively simple in construction considering itshigh production rate in filling the beverage tanks, and the apparatus ismanufactured of relatively simple and easily obtainable parts. It isnecessary to use nothing in connection with the apparatus exceptbeverage syrups, carbonated water and carbon dioxide gas under pressure,all of which are standard products in beverage bottling plants. Thepresent apparatus is particularly adapted for use in such plantsalthough it will be obvious that it readily may be set up at a suitablepoint in a factory to fill beverage containers practically at the siteof the sale of the beverage.

While the apparatus has been particularly described with respect to itsuse on vehicles to be moved through factories for the sale of thepre-mixed beverage, it will be apparent that its use is not so limited.For example, the filled tanks 10 may be used as a source of beverage inan automatic vending machine, no water connections being necessary andit being possible to provide a completely self-contained vending unitmerely by providing in connection with the machine a filled tank 10 anda source of pressure for dispensing beverage from the container as thevending machine operates.

I claim:

1. A beverage dispensing mechanism comprising a container, a pair ofvalve housings communicating with said container and each having a valveseat, a spring-pressed outwardly closing valve engageable with eachseat, and a head for each valve body, each head having a downwardlyextending, tubular member engageable with the associated valve to unseatit when the head is placed in position on the valve body, each head andthe associated valve body having portions inter-engageable for lockingeachhead in position on the associated valve body, each head having anaperture communicating with its tubular extension, one of said aperturesbeing adapted for connection with a dispensing conduit and the otherbeing adapted for connection with a source of gas pressure fordisplacing beverage from the container.

2. A beverage dispensing mechanism comprising a container including acover for sealing it, a valve housing carried by said container andhaving a valve seat therein, a valve movable outwardly relative to thecontainer to closed position and biased to such position, a dip tubecommunicating at itsupper end with said valve housing and extendingdownwardly into said container to a point adjacent the bottom thereof,said valve housing adjacent the end thereof remote from said containerhaving a locking shoulder, and a dispensing head movable axially intoengagement with said valve housing and having a portion engageablebeneath said shoulder to lock said head in operative position relativeto said valve housing, said dispensing head having an axial tubularextension engageable with said valve to unseat it when said head is insaid operative position, said dispensing head having a dispensing nippleextending therefrom in communication with said tubular extension whensaid head is in said operative position.

3. A beverage dispensing mechanism comprising a container including acover for sealing it, a valve housing carried by said container andhaving a valve seat therein, a valve movable outwardly relative to thecontainer to closed position and biased to such position, a dip tubecommunicating at its upper end with said valve housing and extendingdownwardly into said container to a point adjacent the bottom thereof,said valve housing adjacent the end thereof remote from said containerhaving a locking shoulder, a dispensing head movable axially intoengagement with said valve housing and having a portion engageablebeneath said shoulder to lock said head in operative position relativeto said valve housing, said dispensing head having an axial tubularextension engageable with said valve to unseat it when said head is insaid operative position, said dispensing head having a valve thereinprovided with a passage communicating at one end with said tubularextension, and a dispensing nipple carried by said dispensing head andnormally out of communication with said passage, said head beingrotatable to engage said portion thereof beneath said shoulder to movesaid head into operative position and said last-named valve beingengageable by a portion of said head to prevent it from turning wherebyturning movement of said dispensing head will communicate said nipplewith said passage.

4. A beverage dispensing mechanism comprising a container including acover for sealing it, a valve housing carried by said container andhaving a valve seat therein, a valve movable outwardly relative to thecontainer to closed position and biased to such position, a dip tubecommunicating at its upper end with said valve housing and extendingdownwardly into said container to a point adjacent the bottom thereof,said valve housing adjacent the end thereof remote from said containerhaving a locking shoulder, a dispensing head movable axially intoengagement with said valve housing and having a portion engageablebeneath said shoulder to lock said head in operative position relativeto said valve housing, said dispensing head having an axial tubularextension engageable with said valve to unseat it when said head is insaid operative position, said dispensing head having a dispensing nippleextending therefrom in communication with said tubular extension whensaid head is in said operative 14 position, andmeans'f'or'subj'ectingfthe interior of said container to an elasticfluid pressure for displacing fluid from said container whereby abeverage in said container will be dispensed through saiddispensingnipple.

S". A beverage dispensing mechanism comprising a container including acover for sealing it, a valve housing carried by said container andhaving a valve seat therein, a valve movable outwardly relative to thecontainer to closed position and. biased to such position, a dip tubecommunicating at its upper end with said valve housing and extendingdownwardly into said container to a point adjacent the bottom thereof,said valve housing adjacent the end thereof remote from said containerhaving a locking shoulder, a dispensinghead movable axiallyintoengagement with said valve housing and having a portion engageablebeneath said shoulder to lock said head in operative position relativeto saidvalve housing, said dispensing head having an axial tubularextension. engageable with said valve to unseat it when said head is insaid operative position,v said dispensing head having a valve thereinprovided with' a passage communicating at one end with said tubularextension, a dispensing nipple carried by said dispensing head andnormally out of communication with said passage, said head beingrotatable to engage said' portion thereof beneath said shoulder to movesaid head into operative position and said last-named valve beingengageable by a portion of said head to prevent it from turning wherebyturning movement of said dispensing head will communicate said nipplewith said passage, and means for subjecting the interior of saidcontainer to an elastic fluid pressure for displacing fluid from saidcontainer whereby a beverage in said container will be dispensed throughsaid dispensing nipple.

6. A beverage dispensing mechanism comprising a container including acover for sealing it, a valve housing carried by said container andhaving a valve seat therein, a valve movable outwardly relative to thecontainer to closed position and biased to such position, a dip tubecommunicating at its upper end with said valve housing and extendingdownwardly into said container to a point adjacent the bottom thereof,said valve housing adjacent the end thereof remote from said containerhaving a locking shoulder, a dispensing head movable axially intoengagement with said valve housing and having a portion engageablebeneath said shoulder to lock said head in operative position relativeto said valve housing, said dispensing head having an axial tubularextension engageable with said valve to unseat it when said head is insaid operative position, said dispensing head having a valve thereinprovided with a passage communicating at one end with said tubularextension, a dispensing nipple carried by said dispensing head andnormally out of communication with said passage, said head beingrotatable to engage said portion thereof beneath said shoulder to movesaid head into operative position and said last-named valve beingengageable by a portion of said head to prevent it from turning wherebyturning movement of said dispensing head will communicate said nipplewith said passage, a highly elastic bladder in said container, and meansfor introducing elastic fluid under pressure into said bladder to expandit and displace a beverage from the container through said dip tube andsaid nipple.

7. A beverage dispensing mechanism comprising a container including asealing cap, and a pair of assemblies carried by said container adaptedrespectively for dispensing a beverage from the container and forsubjecting the interior of the container to a beverage displacingelastic fluid pressure, each assembly comprising a valve housing havinga passage therethrough, a valve seat formed in said housing, anoutwardly closing valve engageable with said seat and biased to closedposition, each valve housing at the end thereof remote from saidcontainer having an arcuate flange concentric with said housing to forma locking shoulder and flattened 15 at one side, a head adapted to bearranged coaxial with said valve housing, said head having a projectionundercut arcuately to form a recess concentric with said arcuate flange,the projection of said head having a flat side spaced from the axis ofsaid head a distance equal to the corresponding spacing of the flat sideof said arcuate flange to slide therepast whereby, upon a turningmovement of said head, said arcuate flange will move into said arcuaterecess to lock said head to said flange in an operative positionrelative to said valve housing, a tubular axial extension projectingfrom said head and engageable with said valve to unseat it when saidhead is in operative position, and a nipple carried by said head andcommunicating with said tubular extension when said head is in operativeposition, the dispensing assembly having a dip tube extendingsubstantially to the bottom of said container and communicating with thepassage through said valve housing, the nipple of the other assemblybeing adapted for connection with a source of elastic fluid pressure tosubject the interior of said container to an elastic pressure fordisplacing beverage in said container through the dispensing assembly.

8. Apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 7 wherein the head ofone of said assemblies has a rotary valve therein carrying said tubularextension, said rotary valve having a passage therethrough one end ofwhich is axial and communicates with said tubular extension and theother end of which is radial and is normally disconnected from saidnipple, said rotary valve having a projection normally lying in saidarcuate recess and engageable with the flat face of said flange whereby,when said head is turned to operative position, said rotary valve willbe held stationary and the nipple of said head will move intoregistration with the radial end of said passage.

9. Apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 7 wherein the assemblyfor introducing elastic fluid pressure into said container is connectedto a highly elastic bladder arranged in said container to be expanded bythe elastic fluid under pressure to displace beverage in the containerthrough the dispensing assembly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS377,313 Laumann Ian. 13, 1888 2,529,937 Hale Nov. 14, 1950 FOREIGNPATENTS 15,158 Great Britain July 26, 1901 369,974 Great Britain Mar.24, 1932.

